Artificial Intelligence
Ongoing coverage on Artificial Intelligence.
Latest coverage
Google Offers University Students One Year of Google AI Plus for Free
Google is offering eligible university students one year of Google AI Plus for free in supported countries, redeemable until December 31, 2026. This promotion provides enhanced features like higher Gemini usage limits, Deep Research, and additional cloud storage to aid students with academic tasks. Eligibility requires students to be at least 16 years old, enrolled in an institution, and possess a personal Google Account with a valid school email.
'This is not a theoretical risk—it is an active threat': The NSA, FBI, CISA and more warn of AI-assisted hacks against critical US infrastructure and facilities
US agencies including the NSA, FBI, and CISA have issued a joint warning about an active cyber threat to Siemens S7 programmable logic controllers used in critical infrastructure. Threat actors are reportedly using AI-generated exploitation scripts to conduct reconnaissance and capability development, potentially leading to disruption of essential services, equipment damage, and safety incidents. The advisory emphasizes the urgency of the threat and recommends hardening actions for organizations.
The Only Age Group Getting Less Worried About AI Is Americans in Their 50s
A Pew Research survey indicates that Americans aged 50 to 64 are the least excited and most concerned about Artificial Intelligence, yet they are also the most convinced that AI will lead to fewer jobs in the next two decades. This demographic shows a unique combination of calmness and fatalism regarding AI's impact on employment, diverging from other age groups who are increasingly worried about the technology.
Google is offering college students a year of its AI Pro plan for free
Google is offering college students a complimentary year of its AI Pro plan, a service typically valued at $200. This initiative aims to provide students with access to advanced artificial intelligence tools.
Meta AI now has a dedicated desktop app for Mac
Meta has launched a dedicated desktop application for Mac, signaling a move towards offering more business-oriented artificial intelligence tools. This new app aims to provide users with enhanced access to Meta's AI capabilities on their macOS devices.
Google (GOOGL) to buy up to $12.2 billion shares in US chip firm Marvell (MRVL)
Google is set to invest up to $12.2 billion in Marvell stock and partner with the semiconductor firm to develop custom chips for AI infrastructure. This strategic move involves Google purchasing up to 59.97 million Marvell shares through fiscal year 2033, aiming to bolster Google's AI capabilities.
Google is trying to solve contrails with AI
Google is utilizing artificial intelligence and subtle flight rerouting through its Operation Blue Skies initiative to test methods for avoiding contrails. This project, in collaboration with the UK government, aims to mitigate the environmental impact of aircraft emissions.
After 25% positive Steam reviews, Soulslike dev realizes people hate AI slop and admits "if it looks like the effort is not there, that is a fair reading of what is on screen"
The director of the Soulslike game Vapor World: Over the Mind has apologized for the heavy reliance on AI-generated cutscenes and voices, which led to overwhelmingly negative Steam reviews. Young Kim admitted that the AI-generated content was a hasty decision due to resource limitations and promised to replace all AI cutscenes with original content by the end of the week. The game's developer, ALIVE Inc., had previously disclosed AI usage but failed to anticipate the strong player backlash.
Flock is testing a new AI tool that tracks and identifies people based on their driving habits
Flock is developing a new artificial intelligence tool designed to track and identify individuals based on their unique driving habits. This technology goes beyond traditional methods like license plate recognition.
Ex-PlayStation Boss Says Game Development Will Have A “Tough Future” Because Of AI
Former PlayStation Studios boss Shuhei Yoshida expressed concerns about the future of game development due to the increasing integration of AI. While acknowledging AI's potential to democratize game creation, he foresees tougher competition for developers and a potential flood of games impacting consumer choice.
Pixel 11 Pro review: Google AI as your enabler
The Pixel 11 Pro is a strong smartphone, even if it doesn't quite reach the heights of its predecessor. It leverages Google's AI capabilities to enhance the user experience.
MapleStory Universe Kicks Off Vibe Camp Season 2 With $15,000 NXPC Prize Pool
MapleStory Universe has launched Season 2 of its worldwide game jam, MapleStory Vibe Camp, running from August 18 to September 15, 2026. Developers are challenged to create short arcade titles using MapleStory IP, with a $15,000 prize pool in NXPC tokens. This season introduces an AI brainstorming tool to aid in concept development and focuses on player retention and replayability.
Amazon's Alexa+ AI assistant is now free for anyone with a Fire TV device
Amazon has made its Alexa+ AI assistant available for free to all users with a Fire TV device in the US. This update allows users to access the enhanced AI features without additional cost on their existing Fire TV hardware.
Take-Two's former AI guy is, in a twist, skeptical about AI now: 'The guy should be selling you the gold if…
A former AI lead for Take-Two Interactive, Dicken, expresses skepticism about the current hype surrounding generative AI in game development. He argues that the technology's practical application is often overstated, citing issues with authorial intent, dialogue trees, and debatable productivity gains. Dicken also warns of potential vendor lock-in and price hikes, comparing the situation to Unity's controversial pricing changes.
Video game music, orchestral performances, and the sheer joy of a communal experience: how live concerts are helping us reconnect with gaming's good side
Live orchestral concerts celebrating video game music are experiencing a surge in popularity, attracting diverse and passionate audiences. These events, featuring composers like Borislav Slavov and Shoji Meguro, foster a strong sense of community and highlight the artistic merit of game soundtracks, offering a unique human-centric experience in contrast to AI-generated content.
Studio Ghibli is "not feeling negative" about the AI Ghibli filter trend, as long as no one makes "a…
Studio Ghibli is reportedly not negative about the trend of AI filters mimicking their animation style, as long as no one profits excessively from it. Director Goro Miyazaki suggested that the late Isao Takahata might have explored AI technology if he were alive. The studio's stance on AI technology itself is described as surprisingly neutral.
Yield Guild Games switches on YGG 3.0, recasting the guild as an AI labor layer
Yield Guild Games (YGG) has launched YGG 3.0, transitioning from a Web3 gaming guild to a sector-agnostic infrastructure layer focused on AI. The Guild Protocol will now facilitate human-in-the-loop intelligence, data verification, and model alignment for AI development. This strategic shift follows the shutdown of its publishing arm, YGG Play, and job cuts, with the company aiming to leverage its network for AI economy operations.
Razer’s new version of the Naga mouse is full of swappable side buttons for rich MMO nerds
Razer has released the new Naga V3 Pro wireless gaming mouse, designed for MMORPG and multiplayer gamers. Its key feature is swappable magnetic side plates offering 12, six, or two buttons for different game genres. The mouse also boasts advanced tracking, long battery life, and a dedicated ChatGPT button.
Memory crisis is driving uncertainty over PlayStation 6's launch date
Sony CEO Hiroki Totoki stated that the launch date for the PlayStation 6 remains undecided due to the ongoing global memory and chip shortage, exacerbated by AI data center investments. Analysts had anticipated a 2025 release, but this is now uncertain. Totoki emphasized survival as a CEO's primary task amidst these challenges, while also expressing optimism about AI's potential to enhance creativity.
Congressional Staffers Sound Alarm as AI-Written Text Creeps Into Federal Bills
Congressional staffers are raising alarms about the increasing use of AI-generated text in federal legislation, with one office reporting a 72% surge in requests. Concerns include AI-written text being submitted by external groups, leading to extra work for legislative counsel to correct errors and ensure accuracy. This issue mirrors problems seen in AI's use in legal filings, where fluency can mask a lack of precision required for statutory language.
